A story from CNN:

"Senate set to vote on hate crimes bill
Posted: October 22nd, 2009 12:13 PM ET

WASHINGTON (CNN) – The fight over gay rights is taking center stage once again as the U.S. Senate prepares to vote as early as Thursday on groundbreaking legislation expanding the scope of federal hate-crimes law.

The measure, added to a $680 billion defense authorization bill, would make it a federal crime to assault an individual because of his or her sexual orientation or gender identity. The House has already passed the measure. It will go to President Barack Obama's desk if, as expected, it clears the Senate.

President George W. Bush had threatened to veto a similar measure; Obama has promised to sign it.

The bill is named for Matthew Shepard, a gay Wyoming teenager who died after being kidnapped and severely beaten in October 1998."

Okay, so I completely support this legislation--I think it's great. But, at the same time, this does illustrate a problem I've had for some time with federal legislation: Why the hell is this hate crimes bill attached to a defense authorization bill? Really, why can't the House and Senate just vote on one issue at a time? I think this is part of the problem when it comes to debating issues because no one really knows what the bill includes, or what random additions may be added. If we want to vote on hate crimes legislation, can't we just have a bill about it? Then, when the defense spending bill comes up, we can vote on that one too.

This is the way we did it in student council after all!

But, seriously, I think this is political tactic used to shield politicians from ever having to fully account for their votes. Thoughts?